The Memories that Hollow

The Memories that Hollow

For this painting, I really wanted to approach the theme of a pirate without the normal bravado and dressing up of the character and tragic lifestyle. So often, the psychological consequences of ideas are glossed over and hardships romanticized. Instead, I wanted to show a man who was world weary, hollowed out by the memories of things he had seen, and things he had done. I imagine a character who has survived where many did not, for no real reason and yet his defense mechanisms keep survivor's guilt as a dull throb in the back of his mind - never disabling him; never allowing him peace. He continues on, disconnected from the world around him, with no trust in the world or himself, but unable to truly perish either. As an explorer and traveler, maybe he will find a reason for being or an understanding of his life. Maybe, if he ever thinks to look inward, his existential void could be filled with self-awareness.